King​ ​Lear:​ ​Quotation​ ​Analysis

ACT​ ​1
Act​ ​1,​ ​Scene​ ​1
“Nothing​ ​will​ ​come​ ​of​ ​nothing:​ ​speak​ ​again.”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● Lear,​ ​taken​ ​aback​ ​by​ ​Cordelia’s​ ​refusal​ ​to​ ​gush​ ​about​ ​her​ ​love​ ​for​ ​him,​ ​gives​ ​her​ ​another
chance​ ​to​ ​proclaim​ ​her​ ​love​ ​and​ ​gain​ ​her​ ​third​ ​of​ ​the​ ​kingdom/her​ ​dowry
● Lear’s​ ​love​ ​for​ ​Cordelia:​ ​he​ ​offers​ ​her​ ​several​ ​chances,​ ​doesn’t​ ​want​ ​to​ ​condemn​ ​her
● Cordelia’s​ ​characterization:​ ​strength​ ​of​ ​character​ ​is​ ​shown​ ​in​ ​her​ ​adamant​ ​refusal​ ​to​ ​play
the​ ​game,​ ​despite​ ​building​ ​pressure​ ​from​ ​her​ ​father​ ​and​ ​onlookers​ ​to​ ​do​ ​so
● Lear’s​ ​blindness​ ​and​ ​pride:​ ​he​ ​cannot​ ​understand​ ​his​ ​youngest​ ​daughter’s​ ​love​ ​for​ ​him
without​ ​her​ ​flattering​ ​him,​ ​fooled​ ​by​ ​his​ ​elder​ ​daughters’​ ​insincere​ ​speeches,​ ​pride​ ​is​ ​hurt
● Suggests​ ​love​ ​is​ ​a​ ​transaction,​ ​that​ ​there​ ​is​ ​a​ ​give-and-take​ ​aspect​ ​to​ ​the​ ​relationship

Act​ ​1,​ ​Scene​ ​4

“Who​ ​is​ ​it​ ​that​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​who​ ​I​ ​am?”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● As​ ​Lear​ ​descends​ ​further​ ​into​ ​his​ ​mental​ ​illness,​ ​he​ ​begins​ ​to​ ​question​ ​who​ ​he​ ​is.
● To​ ​this​ ​question​ ​the​ ​fool​ ​answers,​ ​“Lear’s​ ​shadow”.​ ​This​ ​suggests​ ​that​ ​the​ ​foreignness​ ​of
his​ ​new​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​apparent​ ​not​ ​just​ ​to​ ​himself​ ​but​ ​is​ ​noticed​ ​by​ ​those​ ​around​ ​him
● Though​ ​this​ ​interaction​ ​is​ ​interpreted​ ​as​ ​a​ ​joke​ ​by​ ​his​ ​daughter,​ ​the​ ​question​ ​for​ ​Lear
himself​ ​is​ ​very​ ​real​ ​and​ ​addresses​ ​his​ ​own​ ​insecurities.
● This​ ​question​ ​reveals​ ​Lear’s​ ​own​ ​awareness​ ​of​ ​his​ ​declining​ ​mental​ ​state,​ ​which​ ​may
create​ ​empathy​ ​in​ ​the​ ​reader/audience.​ ​Right​ ​at​ ​the​ ​beginning​ ​of​ ​the​ ​play,​ ​his​ ​own
uncertainty​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​his​ ​identity​ ​is​ ​established.

“How​ ​sharper​ ​than​ ​a​ ​serpent’s​ ​tooth​ ​it​ ​is​ ​/​ ​To​ ​have​ ​a​ ​thankless​ ​child”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● Lear​ ​wants​ ​Goneril​ ​to​ ​feel​ ​the​ ​pain​ ​it​ ​causes​ ​him​ ​to​ ​have​ ​a​ ​thankless​ ​child
● This​ ​shows​ ​Lear’s​ ​descent​ ​into​ ​madness​ ​because​ ​of​ ​how​ ​exaggerated​ ​he​ ​is
● Lears​ ​want​ ​and​ ​need​ ​for​ ​power​ ​is​ ​portrayed​ ​because​ ​of​ ​his​ ​call​ ​to​ ​the​ ​Gods​ ​to​ ​show
Goneril​ ​his​ ​pain22
● His​ ​reference​ ​to​ ​snakes​ ​shows​ ​up​ ​multiple​ ​times​ ​in​ ​the​ ​text​ ​toward​ ​his​ ​daughters,​ ​calling
them​ ​snakelike​ ​and​ ​represents​ ​the​ ​bestiality​ ​of​ ​them
● This​ ​insult​ ​is​ ​harsh​ ​and​ ​the​ ​imagery​ ​is​ ​sinister,​ ​revealing​ ​how​ ​easily​ ​Lear​ ​can​ ​be​ ​angered
and​ ​how​ ​easily​ ​he​ ​dismisses​ ​his​ ​daughters.​ ​This,​ ​again,​ ​reveals​ ​his​ ​deteriorating​ ​state​ ​of
mind​ ​and​ ​his​ ​unstable​ ​nature.

“Lear’s​ ​Shadow”​ ​-​ ​Fool

● The​ ​underlying​ ​connotation​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Fool’s​ ​such​ ​commentary​ ​upon​ ​Lear​ ​portends​ ​his
declining​ ​virtue​ ​and​ ​sanity.​ ​Lear​ ​asks,​ ​“Who​ ​is​ ​it​ ​that​ ​can​ ​tell​ ​me​ ​who​ ​I​ ​am?”​ ​in​ ​which​ ​the
Fool​ ​is​ ​to​ ​suggest​ ​the​ ​‘who’​ ​as​ ​his​ ​shadow,​ ​not​ ​he​ ​himself.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​only​ ​his​ ​shadow,​ ​the
legacy​ ​he​ ​has​ ​now​ ​left​ ​behind,​ ​that​ ​can​ ​demonstrate​ ​his​ ​regality​ ​which​ ​has​ ​fallen​ ​to​ ​the
nadir.​ ​Soon​ ​enough,​ ​it​ ​shall​ ​be​ ​that​ ​glorious​ ​shadow​ ​of​ ​him​ ​that​ ​defines​ ​him​ ​as​ ​a​ ​lunatic.
The​ ​figurative​ ​implications​ ​of​ ​being​ ​a​ ​“shadow”​ ​are​ ​significant​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​Lear’s​ ​age​ ​and
his​ ​decline.​ ​He​ ​is​ ​passing,​ ​passing​ ​towards​ ​death​ ​and​ ​the​ ​afterlife.​ ​His​ ​life​ ​force​ ​is
 fading/ebbing.​ ​Not​ ​only​ ​are​ ​his​ ​emotional/psychological​ ​aspects​ ​declining,​ ​but​ ​his​ ​very
physical​ ​presence​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​be​ ​fading,​ ​as​ ​well.

Act​ ​1​ ​Scene​ ​5

“Thou​ ​shouldst​ ​not​ ​have​ ​been​ ​old​ ​til​ ​thou​ ​hadst​ ​been​ ​wise.”​ ​-​ ​the​ ​Fool
- Lear​ ​starts​ ​to​ ​realize​ ​that​ ​maybe​ ​he​ ​made​ ​a​ ​mistake​ ​by​ ​giving​ ​away​ ​all​ ​of​ ​his​ ​land​ ​and
power​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Fool​ ​is​ ​quick​ ​to​ ​point​ ​out​ ​that​ ​he​ ​left​ ​himself​ ​“without​ ​a​ ​case”
- Lear​ ​is​ ​experiencing​ ​mental​ ​disintegration​ ​with​ ​his​ ​old​ ​age,​ ​stripping​ ​his​ ​ability​ ​to
perceive​ ​truth,​ ​which​ ​runs​ ​against​ ​to​ ​what​ ​normally​ ​accompanies​ ​old​ ​age​ ​(wisdom​ ​and
profound​ ​insight)
- The​ ​fool​ ​emphasizes​ ​his​ ​lack​ ​of​ ​vision​ ​and​ ​the​ ​irony​ ​in​ ​which​ ​a​ ​once-powerful​ ​king​ ​ages
so​ ​disgracefully

ACT​ ​3
Act​ ​3,​ ​Scene​ ​2
“Blow,​ ​winds,​ ​and​ ​crack​ ​your​ ​cheeks!”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● King​ ​Lear​ ​battling​ ​the​ ​storm​ ​(which​ ​may​ ​represent​ ​his​ ​insanity)​ ​after​ ​being​ ​thrown​ ​out​ ​by
Regan
● Lear​ ​is​ ​ripped​ ​free​ ​from​ ​the​ ​basic​ ​necessity​ ​of​ ​shelter,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​likely​ ​an​ ​unpleasant
surprise​ ​for​ ​a​ ​king
● Storms​ ​as​ ​intense​ ​as​ ​these​ ​are​ ​often​ ​symbolic​ ​of​ ​chaos​ ​and​ ​in​ ​the​ ​case​ ​of​ ​Lear,​ ​this
chaos​ ​may​ ​be​ ​representative​ ​of​ ​his​ ​mental​ ​state​ ​and​ ​the​ ​precarious​ ​situation​ ​he​ ​currently
is​ ​in
● Lear​ ​is​ ​challenging​ ​the​ ​elements​ ​here.​ ​Using​ ​apostrophe​ ​(addressing​ ​an​ ​inhuman​ ​or
intangible​ ​element,​ ​in​ ​this​ ​case​ ​the​ ​storm),​ ​Lear​ ​interacts​ ​with​ ​the​ ​Gods​ ​and​ ​with​ ​Nature.
He​ ​is​ ​calling​ ​upon​ ​these​ ​forces,​ ​challenging​ ​them​ ​to​ ​take​ ​him​ ​on.​ ​This​ ​could​ ​both
demonstrate​ ​his​ ​warrior​ ​nature,​ ​and​ ​cause​ ​us​ ​to​ ​reflect​ ​on​ ​what​ ​he​ ​must​ ​have​ ​been​ ​like
in​ ​previous​ ​years​ ​in​ ​terms​ ​of​ ​strength,​ ​and​ ​also​ ​could​ ​demonstrate​ ​his​ ​folly.​ ​To​ ​challenge
the​ ​powerful​ ​elements​ ​could​ ​be​ ​considered​ ​a​ ​foolish​ ​move,​ ​and​ ​ultimately​ ​this​ ​causes​ ​his
complete​ ​undoing.

“The​ ​art​ ​of​ ​our​ ​necessities​ ​is​ ​strange,​ ​That​ ​can​ ​make​ ​vile​ ​things​ ​precious.”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● Lear​ ​is​ ​talking​ ​to​ ​Kent​ ​and​ ​the​ ​Fool.
● Meaning:​ ​In​ ​times​ ​of​ ​desperation,​ ​the​ ​condition​ ​of​ ​things​ ​look​ ​more​ ​appealing​ ​than​ ​they
are​ ​in​ ​reality.
● Ex.​ ​The​ ​hut​ ​seemed​ ​like​ ​a​ ​decent​ ​shelter​ ​for​ ​the​ ​men​ ​when​ ​they​ ​were​ ​stranded​ ​out​ ​in​ ​the
storm.​ ​In​ ​perspective,​ ​the​ ​hut​ ​is​ ​small​ ​and​ ​offers​ ​little​ ​protection​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​the​ ​castle.
● How​ ​far​ ​Lear​ ​has​ ​fallen,​ ​to​ ​have​ ​his​ ​perception​ ​of​ ​shelter​ ​alter​ ​so​ ​greatly.​ ​From​ ​his​ ​castle
to​ ​this​ ​hut,​ ​he​ ​values​ ​things​ ​differently​ ​at​ ​this​ ​point​ ​in​ ​time.​ ​However,​ ​he​ ​is​ ​also​ ​seeing
more​ ​clearly.​ ​As​ ​he​ ​descends​ ​into​ ​madness,​ ​he​ ​appreciates​ ​basic​ ​shelter​ ​and​ ​the
companionship​ ​of​ ​2​ ​friends​ ​who​ ​are​ ​loyal.

“I​ ​am​ ​a​ ​man​ ​more​ ​sinned​ ​against​ ​than​ ​sinning”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
 ● Lear​ ​feels​ ​that​ ​though​ ​he​ ​has​ ​done​ ​wrong,​ ​others​ ​have​ ​sinned​ ​against​ ​him​ ​more​ ​than​ ​he
has​ ​sinned​ ​against​ ​others
● Setting:​ ​in​ ​the​ ​storm,​ ​calling​ ​to​ ​the​ ​gods​ ​as​ ​he​ ​condemns​ ​Goneril​ ​and​ ​Regan
● He​ ​briefly​ ​acknowledges​ ​his​ ​own​ ​mistakes,​ ​yet​ ​does​ ​not​ ​apologize​ ​and​ ​still​ ​feels
righteous​ ​anger​ ​(has​ ​not​ ​yet​ ​learned​ ​humility)
● His​ ​madness​ ​is​ ​demonstrated:​ ​screaming​ ​at​ ​the​ ​stormy​ ​sky,​ ​without​ ​regard​ ​to​ ​his​ ​own
health​ ​or​ ​where​ ​he​ ​will​ ​go​ ​now​ ​that​ ​both​ ​his​ ​daughters​ ​have​ ​abandoned​ ​him​ ​(Kent​ ​ends
up​ ​leading​ ​him​ ​to​ ​safety)
● Evaluation​ ​of​ ​sins:​ ​which​ ​is​ ​worst,​ ​betrayal​ ​or​ ​“being​ ​a​ ​jerk”​ ​-​ ​Mrs.​ ​Lav

Act​ ​3,​ ​Scene​ ​4

“This​ ​cold​ ​night​ ​will​ ​turn​ ​us​ ​all​ ​to​ ​fools​ ​and​ ​madmen.”​ ​-​ ​the​ ​Fool
● Lear’s​ ​descent​ ​into​ ​madness​ ​is​ ​magnified​ ​by​ ​the​ ​time​ ​he​ ​spends​ ​outside​ ​in​ ​the​ ​storm
● The​ ​“cold​ ​night”​ ​refers​ ​to​ ​the​ ​current​ ​storm​ ​(two​ ​motifs:​ ​storm​ ​and​ ​madness)
● This​ ​quote​ ​is​ ​highly​ ​ironic​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​spoken​ ​by​ ​the​ ​character​ ​of​ ​the​ ​“fool”,​ ​but​ ​in​ ​this
case,​ ​he​ ​is​ ​the​ ​most​ ​intelligent​ ​and​ ​all-seeing​ ​character​ ​out​ ​of​ ​everyone​ ​in​ ​the​ ​play.
● Another​ ​significance​ ​is​ ​that​ ​this​ ​quote​ ​foreshadows​ ​into​ ​the​ ​future​ ​events​ ​of​ ​the​ ​play;
everyone​ ​will​ ​slowly​ ​start​ ​to​ ​go​ ​mad.
● This​ ​suggests​ ​that​ ​all​ ​us​ ​us,​ ​characters​ ​and​ ​audience​ ​alike,​ ​are​ ​not​ ​immune​ ​to​ ​Nature
and​ ​its​ ​power,​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​to​ ​our​ ​own​ ​failures​ ​and​ ​follies.

Act​ ​3,​ ​Scene​ ​7

“Out​ ​vile​ ​jelly”​ ​-Cornwall
● Cornwall​ ​as​ ​he​ ​is​ ​removing​ ​Gloucester’s​ ​eye,​ ​believing​ ​that​ ​Gloucester​ ​is​ ​a​ ​traitor
● Cornwall​ ​characterization:​ ​does​ ​not​ ​fully​ ​understand​ ​the​ ​situation,​ ​bestial​ ​enjoyment​ ​of
the​ ​violence
● Commentary​ ​on​ ​the​ ​darker​ ​side​ ​of​ ​human​ ​nature

ACT​ ​4

Act​ ​4,​ ​Scene​ ​1

“And​ ​worse​ ​I​ ​may​ ​be​ ​yet.​ ​The​ ​worst​ ​is​ ​not​ ​so​ ​long​ ​as​ ​we​ ​can​ ​say​ ​‘This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​worst.”​ ​-​ ​Edgar
● Contextually,​ ​Edgar​ ​is​ ​speaking​ ​as​ ​a​ ​“poor​ ​mad​ ​Tom”​ ​in​ ​disguise
● He​ ​asserts​ ​that​ ​as​ ​long​ ​as​ ​we​ ​can​ ​say​​ ​that​ ​something​ ​is​ ​the​ ​worst,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​the​ ​worst,
because​ ​if​ ​we​ ​can​ ​say​ ​it​ ​is​ ​the​ ​worst,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​still​ ​alive
● The​ ​“worst”​ ​thing​ ​that​ ​can​ ​happen​ ​is​ ​death.​ ​The​ ​penultimate​ ​occurrence​ ​of​ ​the​ ​worst
situation​ ​will​ ​go​ ​unspoken,​ ​because​ ​this​ ​zenith​ ​is​ ​death​ ​itself,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​dead​ ​will​ ​not​ ​be
able​ ​to​ ​say​ ​“This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​worst”
● This​ ​demonstrates​ ​Edgar’s​ ​foresight​ ​and​ ​able​ ​perceptiveness;​ ​despite​ ​the​ ​severity​ ​of​ ​his
immediate​ ​circumstances,​ ​he​ ​knows​ ​that​ ​the​ ​it​ ​is​ ​not​ ​yet​ ​the​ ​worst—the​ ​most​ ​dire
situation—because​ ​he​ ​is​ ​still​ ​alive

“As​ ​flies​ ​to​ ​wanton​ ​boys​ ​are​ ​we​ ​to​ ​the​ ​gods.
They​ ​kill​ ​us​ ​for​ ​their​ ​sport.”​ ​-​ ​Earl​ ​of​ ​Gloucester
● Context:​ ​Gloucester​ ​is​ ​speaking​ ​to​ ​his​ ​son​ ​Edgar​ ​(in​ ​disguise)​ ​as​ ​well​ ​as​ ​an​ ​old​ ​man
● The​ ​question​ ​of​ ​justice/whether​ ​it​ ​exists​ ​in​ ​the​ ​universe​ ​or​ ​not?
○ Will​ ​Gloucester​ ​be​ ​compensated​ ​for​ ​his​ ​terrible​ ​experiences?
● No​ ​good​ ​order​ ​in​ ​the​ ​world
● Man​ ​is​ ​unable​ ​to​ ​place​ ​his​ ​own​ ​laws​ ​on​ ​the​ ​universe,​ ​instead​ ​the​ ​divine​ ​gods​ ​dole​ ​out
suffering​ ​to​ ​people​ ​(harken​ ​back​ ​to​ ​Gloucester’s​ ​torture,​ ​abject​ ​cruelty,​ ​senseless
brutality)
○ Fate​ ​vs.​ ​Free​ ​Will:​ ​humans​ ​don’t​ ​have​ ​the​ ​power​ ​to​ ​change​ ​their​ ​circumstances
○ Worldview​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Greeks
● Gods​ ​are​ ​indifferent​ ​to​ ​human​ ​suffering,​ ​killing​ ​humans​ ​for​ ​sport​ ​just​ ​as​ ​wanton​ ​boys​ ​kill
flies​ ​(the​ ​metaphor/simile)
● Paints​ ​an​ ​image​ ​of​ ​stark​ ​despair​ ​in​ ​a​ ​classic​ ​tragic​ ​play​ ​that​ ​“screams​ ​despair​ ​and
desperation”

Act​ ​4,​ ​Scene​ ​6

“O,​ ​let​ ​me​ ​kiss​ ​that​ ​hand!”​ ​-​ ​Earl​ ​of​ ​Gloucester
“Let​ ​me​ ​wipe​ ​it​ ​first;​ ​it​ ​smells​ ​of​ ​mortality.”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● “Mortality”​ ​in​ ​this​ ​sense​ ​means​ ​his​ ​own​ ​excretion,​ ​or​ ​humility
● This​ ​was​ ​written​ ​by​ ​Shakespeare​ ​to​ ​get​ ​the​ ​audience​ ​to​ ​laugh.
● Lear​ ​has​ ​been​ ​sleeping​ ​outside​ ​in​ ​the​ ​mud​ ​and​ ​dirt.
● The​ ​significance​ ​in​ ​this​ ​quote​ ​is​ ​that​ ​because​ ​he​ ​has​ ​been​ ​pushed​ ​from​ ​his​ ​high​ ​throne
to​ ​the​ ​bottom,​ ​he​ ​is​ ​now​ ​aware​ ​of​ ​his​ ​own​ ​humanity​ ​and​ ​mortality.
● It​ ​also​ ​shows​ ​that​ ​even​ ​though​ ​he​ ​is​ ​ragged​ ​and​ ​dirty,​ ​he​ ​is​ ​still​ ​aware​ ​and​ ​careful​ ​of​ ​his
own​ ​appearance​ ​and​ ​hygiene.

“When​ ​we​ ​are​ ​born,​ ​we​ ​cry​ ​that​ ​we​ ​are​ ​come​ ​to​ ​this​ ​great​ ​stage​ ​of​ ​fools.”​ ​-​ ​King​ ​Lear
● In​ ​this​ ​act,​ ​Lear​ ​is​ ​having​ ​a​ ​conversation​ ​with​ ​Gloucester
● Lear​ ​is​ ​saying​ ​babies​ ​cry​ ​at​ ​birth​ ​because​ ​they​ ​are​ ​entering​ ​a​ ​terrible​ ​world
● This​ ​is​ ​suggesting​ ​life​ ​is​ ​hurtful​ ​and​ ​horrible.
● This​ ​quotation​ ​includes​ ​a​ ​powerful​ ​metaphor,​ ​one​ ​that​ ​is​ ​repeated​ ​elsewhere​ ​in
Shakespeare’s​ ​plays,​ ​that​ ​this​ ​life​ ​is​ ​nothing​ ​but​ ​a​ ​play​ ​itself,​ ​that​ ​we​ ​as​ ​humans​ ​“strut
and​ ​fret​ ​our​ ​hour​ ​upon​ ​the​ ​stage​ ​and​ ​then​ ​are​ ​heard​ ​no​ ​more”:​ ​remember​ ​where​ ​that
comes​ ​from??​ ​(Not​ ​Lear,​ ​by​ ​the​ ​way…​ ​another​ ​play).​ ​ ​The​ ​implications​ ​of​ ​this​ ​are
sobering.​ ​Is​ ​this​ ​true?​ ​If​ ​we​ ​don’t​ ​like​ ​this​ ​idea,​ ​how​ ​can​ ​we​ ​live​ ​in​ ​ways​ ​that​ ​defy​ ​this
notion​ ​and​ ​that​ ​make​ ​our​ ​lives​ ​truly​ ​meaningful?

ACT​ ​5

Act​ ​5,​ ​Scene​ ​2

“Men​ ​must​ ​ensure​ ​their​ ​going​ ​hence,​ ​even​ ​as​ ​their​ ​coming​ ​hither.​ ​Ripeness​ ​is​ ​all.”​ ​-​ ​Edgar
- Edgar​ ​talking​ ​to​ ​Gloucester
 - We​ ​need​ ​to​ ​live​ ​life​ ​the​ ​way​ ​it​ ​is,​ ​we​ ​won’t​ ​always​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to​ ​decide​ ​or​ ​pick​ ​what​ ​is
happening
- Gloucester​ ​is​ ​starting​ ​to​ ​lose​ ​hope​ ​during​ ​the​ ​war​ ​but​ ​Edgar​ ​tells​ ​him​ ​that​ ​they​ ​need​ ​to
fight​ ​on​ ​and​ ​they​ ​can’t​ ​just​ ​give​ ​up​ ​on​ ​life
- This​ ​quotation​ ​shows​ ​an​ ​interesting​ ​commentary​ ​on​ ​death​ ​and​ ​aging.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​assured​ ​we
will​ ​die,​ ​just​ ​as​ ​it​ ​is​ ​assured​ ​that​ ​we​ ​were​ ​once​ ​born.​ ​Birth​ ​and​ ​death​ ​are​ ​not​ ​the​ ​point.
What​ ​happens​ ​in​ ​between​ ​-​ ​how​ ​WELL​ ​we​ ​live,​ ​how​ ​fully​ ​-​ ​is​ ​what​ ​matters.

Act​ ​5,​ ​Scene​ ​3

“Jesters​ ​do​ ​oft​ ​prove​ ​prophets.”​ ​-​ ​Regan
● Context:​ ​Regan​ ​and​ ​Goneril​ ​are​ ​arguing​ ​over​ ​Edmund
● Previous​ ​line​ ​is​ ​spoken​ ​by​ ​Goneril​ ​that​ ​if​ ​Edmund​ ​weds​ ​Regan,​ ​he​ ​will​ ​have​ ​her​ ​interests
at​ ​heart
● Significance:​ ​Foreshadowing​ ​that​ ​if​ ​neither​ ​of​ ​them​ ​had​ ​died,​ ​Edmund​ ​might​ ​have
married​ ​Regan
● Goneril​ ​and​ ​Regan’s​ ​partnership​ ​is​ ​being​ ​split​ ​apart​ ​by​ ​their​ ​mutual​ ​affection​ ​for
Edmund.
● Literally​ ​translates​ ​to:​ ​“Don’t​ ​joke​ ​for​ ​it​ ​might​ ​come​ ​true.”​ ​or​ ​“The​ ​truth​ ​is​ ​sometimes
found​ ​in​ ​comedic​ ​jokes.”
● This​ ​is​ ​significant​ ​because​ ​it​ ​also​ ​highlights​ ​the​ ​roll​ ​of​ ​the​ ​fool​ ​throughout​ ​the​ ​play:​ ​he
speaks​ ​the​ ​truth​ ​and​ ​he​ ​sees​ ​fully.

Act​ ​5​ ​Scene​ ​3

“Speak​ ​what​ ​we​ ​feel,​ ​not​ ​what​ ​we​ ​ought​ ​to​ ​say”​ ​-Edgar​ ​(last​ ​lines​ ​of​ ​the​ ​play)
● In​ ​context,​ ​Edgar​ ​is​ ​discussing​ ​the​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​old​ ​age​ ​following​ ​the​ ​series​ ​of​ ​tragic​ ​deaths
that​ ​occurred
● In​ ​“speaking​ ​what​ ​we​ ​feel,”​ ​Edgar​ ​is​ ​asserting​ ​that​ ​we​ ​should​ ​speak​ ​from​ ​a​ ​place​ ​of
truthfulness,​ ​not​ ​showering​ ​flattery​ ​on​ ​others​ ​because​ ​it​ ​is​ ​our​ ​duty
● This​ ​is​ ​reminiscent​ ​of​ ​Cordelia’s​ ​refusal​ ​to​ ​succumb​ ​to​ ​the​ ​temptation​ ​to​ ​flatter​ ​King​ ​Lear;
despite​ ​her​ ​sister’s​ ​actions​ ​and​ ​estrangement​ ​from​ ​her​ ​father,​ ​she​ ​remained​ ​truthful​ ​in
her​ ​words
● As​ ​the​ ​last​ ​line​ ​of​ ​the​ ​play,​ ​this​ ​is​ ​a​ ​warning​ ​to​ ​the​ ​youth:​ ​we​ ​should​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​footsteps
of​ ​Cordelia​ ​and​ ​speak​ ​from​ ​a​ ​place​ ​of​ ​truthfulness,​ ​as​ ​we​ ​will​ ​all​ ​inevitably​ ​grow​ ​old

King​ ​Lear:​ ​Monologues

#1:​ ​Spoken​ ​by​ ​Lear,​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​Act​ ​3,​ ​Scene​ ​2

Blow,​ ​winds,​ ​and​ ​crack​ ​your​ ​cheeks!​ ​rage!​ ​blow!

You​ ​cataracts​ ​and​ ​hurricanoes,​ ​spout
Till​ ​you​ ​have​ ​drench’d​ ​our​ ​steeples,​ ​drown’d​ ​the​ ​cocks!
You​ ​sulph’rous​ ​and​ ​thought-executing​ ​fires,
Vaunt-couriers​ ​to​ ​oak-cleaving​ ​thunderbolts,
Singe​ ​my​ ​white​ ​head!​ ​And​ ​thou,​ ​all-shaking​ ​thunder,
Strike​ ​flat​ ​the​ ​thick​ ​rotundity​ ​o’​ ​th’​ ​world,
Crack​ ​Nature’s​ ​moulds,​ ​all​ ​germains​ ​spill​ ​at​ ​once,
That​ ​makes​ ​ingrateful​ ​man!
Rumble​ ​thy​ ​bellyful!​ ​Spit,​ ​fire!​ ​spout,​ ​rain!
Nor​ ​rain,​ ​wind,​ ​thunder,​ ​fire​ ​are​ ​my​ ​daughters.
I​ ​tax​ ​not​ ​you,​ ​you​ ​elements,​ ​with​ ​unkindness.
I​ ​never​ ​gave​ ​you​ ​kingdom,​ ​call’d​ ​you​ ​children,
You​ ​owe​ ​me​ ​no​ ​subscription.​ ​Then​ ​let​ ​fall
Your​ ​horrible​ ​pleasure.​ ​Here​ ​I​ ​stand​ ​your​ ​slave,
A​ ​poor,​ ​infirm,​ ​weak,​ ​and​ ​despis’d​ ​old​ ​man.
But​ ​yet​ ​I​ ​call​ ​you​ ​servile​ ​ministers,
That​ ​will​ ​with​ ​two​ ​pernicious​ ​daughters​ ​join
Your​ ​high-engender’d​ ​battles​ ​‘gainst​ ​a​ ​head
So​ ​old​ ​and​ ​white​ ​as​ ​this!​ ​O!​ ​O!​ ​’tis​ ​foul!

Context:
-​ ​Lear​ ​is​ ​out​ ​in​ ​the​ ​storm​ ​and​ ​is​ ​ranting​ ​about​ ​how​ ​his​ ​daughters​ ​have​ ​treated​ ​him​ ​poorly
-​ ​Lear​ ​is​ ​praying​ ​for​ ​death,​ ​with​ ​thunder​ ​striking​ ​him​ ​and​ ​killing​ ​him
-​ ​Lear​ ​is​ ​basically​ ​asking​ ​for​ ​an​ ​apocalypse​ ​where​ ​all​ ​of​ ​life​ ​is​ ​destroyed

#2:​ ​Spoken​ ​by​ ​Lear,​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​Act​ ​2,​ ​Scene​ ​4

O,​ ​reason​ ​not​ ​the​ ​need!​ ​Our​ ​basest​ ​beggars

Are​ ​in​ ​the​ ​poorest​ ​thing​ ​superfluous.
Allow​ ​not​ ​nature​ ​more​ ​than​ ​nature​ ​needs,
Man’s​ ​life​ ​is​ ​cheap​ ​as​ ​beast’s.​ ​Thou​ ​art​ ​a​ ​lady:
If​ ​only​ ​to​ ​go​ ​warm​ ​were​ ​gorgeous,
Why,​ ​nature​ ​needs​ ​not​ ​what​ ​thou​ ​gorgeous​ ​wear’st
Which​ ​scarcely​ ​keeps​ ​thee​ ​warm.​ ​But,​ ​for​ ​true​ ​need-
You​ ​heavens,​ ​give​ ​me​ ​that​ ​patience,​ ​patience​ ​I​ ​need!
You​ ​see​ ​me​ ​here,​ ​you​ ​gods,​ ​a​ ​poor​ ​old​ ​man,
As​ ​full​ ​of​ ​grief​ ​as​ ​age;​ ​wretched​ ​in​ ​both.
If​ ​it​ ​be​ ​you​ ​that​ ​stirs​ ​these​ ​daughters’​ ​hearts
Against​ ​their​ ​father,​ ​fool​ ​me​ ​not​ ​so​ ​much
To​ ​bear​ ​it​ ​tamely;​ ​touch​ ​me​ ​with​ ​noble​ ​anger,
And​ ​let​ ​not​ ​women’s​ ​weapons,​ ​water​ ​drops,
Stain​ ​my​ ​man’s​ ​cheeks!​ ​No,​ ​you​ ​unnatural​ ​hags!
I​ ​will​ ​have​ ​such​ ​revenges​ ​on​ ​you​ ​both
That​ ​all​ ​the​ ​world​ ​shall-​ ​I​ ​will​ ​do​ ​such​ ​things-
What​ ​they​ ​are​ ​yet,​ ​I​ ​know​ ​not;​ ​but​ ​they​ ​shall​ ​be
The​ ​terrors​ ​of​ ​the​ ​earth!​ ​You​ ​think​ ​I’ll​ ​weep.
No,​ ​I’ll​ ​not​ ​weep.
I​ ​have​ ​full​ ​cause​ ​of​ ​weeping,​ ​but​ ​this​ ​heart
Shall​ ​break​ ​into​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​thousand​ ​flaws
Or​ ​ere​ ​I’ll​ ​weep.​ ​O​ ​fool,​ ​I​ ​shall​ ​go​ ​mad!

Context:​ ​Regan​ ​and​ ​Goneril​ ​ganging​ ​up​ ​on​ ​Lear​ ​to​ ​dismiss​ ​all​ ​his​ ​men
Even​ ​the​ ​poorest​ ​people​ ​have​ ​extraneous​ ​possessions.
If​ ​we​ ​have​ ​nothing​ ​more​ ​than​ ​what​ ​we​ ​need​ ​in​ ​nature,
Man’s​ ​life​ ​is​ ​comparable​ ​to​ ​a​ ​beast’s.
You,​ ​a​ ​woman,​ ​are​ ​wearing​ ​those​ ​gorgeous​ ​garments
Because​ ​of​ ​their​ ​appearance,​ ​not​ ​because​ ​they​ ​keep​ ​you​ ​warm.​ ​But,​ ​what​ ​is​ ​truly​ ​needed​ ​for
me​ ​is​ ​patience
You​ ​gods,​ ​if​ ​it​ ​is​ ​you​ ​who​ ​are​ ​causing​ ​my​ ​daughters’​ ​hearts​ ​to​ ​turn​ ​against​ ​their​ ​father,
Then​ ​touch​ ​me​ ​with​ ​anger
And​ ​harden​ ​my​ ​heart​ ​so​ ​I​ ​won’t​ ​cry​ ​like​ ​a​ ​woman.
I​ ​will​ ​seek​ ​vengeance
I​ ​do​ ​not​ ​know​ ​what​ ​I​ ​will​ ​do​ ​yet,​ ​but
It​ ​will​ ​cause​ ​terror​ ​on​ ​the​ ​earth.
I​ ​won’t​ ​weep,
Though​ ​I​ ​have​ ​all​ ​the​ ​reason​ ​to.
My​ ​heart​ ​will​ ​break​ ​into​ ​a​ ​hundred​ ​thousand​ ​pieces
Before​ ​I​ ​weep.​ ​O​ ​fool,​ ​I​ ​will​ ​go​ ​mad!

#3:​ ​EDMUND,​ ​Act​ ​1,​ ​Scene​ ​2

This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​excellent​ ​foppery​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world​ ​that

when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​sick​ ​in​ ​fortune—often​ ​the​ ​surfeit​ ​of
our​ ​own​ ​behavior—we​ ​make​ ​guilty​ ​of​ ​our​ ​disasters
the​ ​sun,​ ​the​ ​moon,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​stars,​ ​as​ ​if​ ​we​ ​were​ ​villains
by​ ​necessity,​ ​fools​ ​by​ ​heavenly​ ​compulsion,​ ​knaves,
thieves,​ ​and​ ​treachers​ ​by​ ​spherical​ ​predominance,
drunkards,​ ​liars,​ ​and​ ​adulterers​ ​by​ ​an​ ​enforced
obedience​ ​of​ ​planetary​ ​influence,​ ​and​ ​all​ ​that​ ​we
are​ ​evil​ ​in​ ​by​ ​a​ ​divine​ ​thrusting-on.​ ​An​ ​admirable
evasion​ ​of​ ​whoremaster​ ​man,​ ​to​ ​lay​ ​his​ ​goatish
disposition​ ​to​ ​the​ ​charge​ ​of​ ​a​ ​star!​ ​My​ ​father
compounded​ ​with​ ​my​ ​mother​ ​under​ ​the​ ​Dragon’s
tail​ ​and​ ​my​ ​nativity​ ​was​ ​under​ ​Ursa​ ​Major,​ ​so​ ​that​ ​it
follows​ ​I​ ​am​ ​rough​ ​and​ ​lecherous.​ ​Fut,​ ​I​ ​should
have​ ​been​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am,​ ​had​ ​the​ ​maidenliest​ ​star​ ​in​ ​the
firmament​ ​twinkled​ ​on​ ​my​ ​bastardizing.

This​ ​is​ ​the​ ​excellent​ ​stupidity​ ​of​ ​the​ ​world​ ​that​ ​when​ ​we​ ​are​ ​unfortunate—often​ ​as​ ​the
result​ ​of​ ​our​ ​behavior—we​ ​accuse​ ​the​ ​sun,​ ​the​ ​moon,​ ​and​ ​the​ ​stars​ ​as​ ​the​ ​cause​ ​of​ ​the
disasters.​ ​We​ ​become​ ​villains​ ​because​ ​they​ ​are​ ​necessary,​ ​fools​ ​by​ ​the​ ​will​ ​of​ ​heaven.
We​ ​become​ ​idiots,​ ​thieves,​ ​and​ ​traitors​ ​because​ ​of​ ​astrology​ ​and​ ​horoscopes,​ ​and​ ​obey
supernatural​ ​influences​ ​that​ ​make​ ​us​ ​drunkards,​ ​liars,​ ​and​ ​adulterers.​ ​No,​ ​we​ ​are​ ​born
evil.​ ​How​ ​convenient​ ​that​ ​we​ ​can​ ​blame​ ​our​ ​lustfulness​ ​on​ ​some​ ​star.​ ​ ​My​ ​father​ ​and
mother​ ​conceived​ ​me​ ​because​ ​of​ ​a​ ​horoscope​ ​of​ ​debauchery,​ ​so​ ​it​ ​makes​ ​sense​ ​that​ ​I
am​ ​arrogant​ ​and​ ​lewd.​ ​Forget​ ​that:​ ​even​ ​if​ ​I​ ​were​ ​born​ ​under​ ​the​ ​most​ ​pure​ ​and​ ​lucky
star,​ ​I​ ​would​ ​still​ ​be​ ​exactly​ ​what​ ​I​ ​am.

#4:​ ​ ​Edmund,​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​Act​ ​1,​ ​Scene​ ​2

Thou,​ ​Nature,​ ​art​ ​my​ ​goddess;​ ​to​ ​thy​ ​law

My​ ​services​ ​are​ ​bound.​ ​Wherefore​ ​should​ ​I
Stand​ ​in​ ​the​ ​plague​ ​of​ ​custom,​ ​and​ ​permit
The​ ​curiosity​ ​of​ ​nations​ ​to​ ​deprive​ ​me,
For​ ​that​ ​I​ ​am​ ​some​ ​twelve​ ​or​ ​fourteen​ ​moonshines
Lag​ ​of​ ​a​ ​brother?​ ​Why​ ​bastard?​ ​wherefore​ ​base?
When​ ​my​ ​dimensions​ ​are​ ​as​ ​well​ ​compact,
My​ ​mind​ ​as​ ​generous,​ ​and​ ​my​ ​shape​ ​as​ ​true,
As​ ​honest​ ​madam’s​ ​issue?​ ​Why​ ​brand​ ​they​ ​us
With​ ​base?​ ​with​ ​baseness?​ ​bastardy?​ ​base,​ ​base?
Who,​ ​in​ ​the​ ​lusty​ ​stealth​ ​of​ ​nature,​ ​take
More​ ​composition​ ​and​ ​fierce​ ​quality
Than​ ​doth,​ ​within​ ​a​ ​dull,​ ​stale,​ ​tired​ ​bed,
Go​ ​to​ ​th’​ ​creating​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​tribe​ ​of​ ​fops
Got​ ​‘tween​ ​asleep​ ​and​ ​wake?​ ​Well​ ​then,
Legitimate​ ​Edgar,​ ​I​ ​must​ ​have​ ​your​ ​land.
Our​ ​father’s​ ​love​ ​is​ ​to​ ​the​ ​bastard​ ​Edmund
As​ ​to​ ​th’​ ​legitimate.​ ​Fine​ ​word-​ ​‘legitimate’!
Well,​ ​my​ ​legitimate,​ ​if​ ​this​ ​letter​ ​speed,
And​ ​my​ ​invention​ ​thrive,​ ​Edmund​ ​the​ ​base
Shall​ ​top​ ​th’​ ​legitimate.​ ​I​ ​grow;​ ​I​ ​prosper.
Now,​ ​gods,​ ​stand​ ​up​ ​for​ ​bastards!

I​ ​trust​ ​and​ ​follow​ ​the​ ​laws​ ​of​ ​nature,​ ​not​ ​man-made​ ​social​ ​customs.​ ​Why​ ​should​ ​I​ ​be
called​ ​and​ ​treated​ ​as​ ​a​ ​bastard​ ​child​ ​when​ ​I’m​ ​just​ ​as​ ​handsome,​ ​intelligent​ ​and​ ​rational
as​ ​my​ ​brother?​ ​Why​ ​must​ ​they​ ​label​ ​us​ ​(all​ ​illegitimate​ ​children)​ ​as​ ​bastards​ ​and
lowlifes?​ ​We​ ​were​ ​truly​ ​conceived​ ​in​ ​passion​ ​and​ ​love,​ ​instead​ ​of​ ​being​ ​created​ ​by
unloving,​ ​tired​ ​parents​ ​who​ ​simply​ ​churn​ ​out​ ​a​ ​whole​ ​bunch​ ​of​ ​other​ ​monotonous
children.​ ​Therefore​ ​I​ ​must​ ​have​ ​Edgar’s​ ​land​ ​because​ ​our​ ​father’s​ ​love​ ​is​ ​the​ ​same​ ​to
either​ ​brother.​ ​If​ ​this​ ​letter​ ​reaches​ ​its​ ​destination​ ​and​ ​my​ ​plans​ ​are​ ​set​ ​in​ ​motion,
Edmund​ ​the​ ​lowlife​ ​shall​ ​overcome​ ​and​ ​replace​ ​the​ ​legitimate​ ​Edgar.​ ​Stand​ ​up​ ​for​ ​all
illegitimate​ ​children!

Theme​ ​Statements

Greed​:​ ​In​ ​Shakespeare’s​ ​play​ ​King​ ​Lear​,​ ​humans’​ ​innate​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​all-consuming​ ​greed​ ​is
illuminated​ ​through​ ​the​ ​blindness​ ​and​ ​prevalence​ ​of​ ​corruption​ ​within​ ​Goneril,​ ​Regan,​ ​and​ ​Lear
which​ ​ultimately​ ​drives​ ​them​ ​to​ ​a​ ​tragic​ ​end.

Power​:​ ​In​ ​William​ ​Shakespeare's​ ​tragedy​ ​King​ ​Lear​,​ ​the​ ​attachment​ ​and​ ​thirst​ ​for​ ​power​ ​is
prominent​ ​and​ ​ever​ ​growing.​ ​When​ ​given​ ​power,​ ​it​ ​is​ ​often​ ​abused​ ​and​ ​overtakes​ ​ethics​ ​and
morals.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​seen​ ​in​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​Edmund,​ ​Goneril​ ​and​ ​Regan​ ​and​ ​the​ ​effect​ ​of​ ​their​ ​power
resulted​ ​in​ ​their​ ​deaths.

Love​:​ ​In​ ​King​ ​Lear​,​ ​a​ ​tragedy​ ​written​ ​by​ ​William​ ​Shakespeare,​ ​Lear’s​ ​love​ ​for​ ​Cordelia​ ​finally
overpowers​ ​his​ ​regretful​ ​act​ ​of​ ​banishing​ ​her​ ​as​ ​he​ ​laments​ ​over​ ​her​ ​death,​ ​which​ ​is​ ​symbolic​ ​of
the​ ​affectionate​ ​nature​ ​of​ ​love​ ​and​ ​how​ ​deeply​ ​rooted​ ​we​ ​are​ ​in​ ​our​ ​intimate​ ​relationships.​ ​King
Lear’s​ ​death​ ​from​ ​heartache​ ​further​ ​demonstrates​ ​the​ ​intricacies​ ​and​ ​overwhelming​ ​power​ ​of
love.

Wisdom​:​ ​In​ ​William​ ​Shakespeare’s​ ​five-act​ ​tragedy​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​the​ ​portrayal​ ​of​ ​wisdom​ ​contrasts
greatly​ ​with​ ​our​ ​normal​ ​perception​ ​of​ ​wisdom​ ​where​ ​we​ ​believe​ ​people​ ​become​ ​wiser​ ​with​ ​age.
One​ ​significant​ ​example​ ​is​ ​how​ ​King​ ​Lear​ ​experiences​ ​severe​ ​mental​ ​degradation​ ​as​ ​time
passes,​ ​which​ ​contrasts​ ​to​ ​how​ ​Cordelia,​ ​his​ ​youngest​ ​daughter,​ ​seems​ ​to​ ​be​ ​the​ ​most
omniscient,​ ​and​ ​therefore​ ​wiser,​ ​compared​ ​to​ ​her​ ​two​ ​older​ ​sisters.

Truth​:​ ​In​ ​William​ ​Shakespeare’s​ ​King​ ​Lear,​ ​ ​King​ ​Lear’s​ ​extreme​ ​torment​ ​over​ ​the​ ​loss​ ​of​ ​his
only​ ​truthful​ ​daughter​ ​Cordelia​ ​demonstrates​ ​that,​ ​ultimately,​ ​valuing​ ​honesty​ ​over​ ​the​ ​false
comfort​ ​of​ ​flattery​ ​and​ ​praise​ ​is​ ​necessary​ ​for​ ​preserving​ ​our​ ​most​ ​intimate​ ​relationships.